The Valdosta State football team hit the practice field for the first time this fall on Monday. Greg Reid was not in attendance, nor is he a member of the Blazers’ football team at this time.Valdosta State head coach David Dean was quick to end all the rumors circulating on social media Web site Twitter, saying the Blazers haven’t contacted Reid at this time.“Honestly, there are a lot of rumors going around,” Dean said. “We have not talked to anybody, especially a Lowndes County resident. That is false. Those are rumors. We have not contacted him. As far as we know, he is still a part of Florida State. We have who we got here and we are going to roll with who we got.”
Dean was clear to point out the Blazer coaching staff hasn’t contacted Reid, but did say Reid contacted them once. When asked if he would entertain the idea of Reid joining the Blazers if he called them again and gained a release from Florida State, Dean said he would welcome a sit down conversation.
“He has to get a release from Florida State,” Dean said. “It would be something where we would have to sit down and we would have to talk. If we do it, he has to do it early. He can’t wait for a long time. I don’t want him to come in here in two or three weeks.
“He has to come in here and learn what we are doing and be a part of our team and bond with our guys,” Dean continued. “That is still yet to be determined. As far as I know, he is staying at Florida State or he is going somewhere else.”
At this time, Reid has been dismissed but not released from his scholarship at Florida State.
Soon after the Blazers wrapped up practice on Monday, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher held a press conference in Tallahassee. Fisher said he loved Greg, but rules are meant to be followed, giving indication that Reid’s dismissal from the team is permanent.
Reid was released from Florida State last Wednesday for violating team rules.
Valdosta State Linebacker Chris Pope, a possible captain for the Blazers this season, said the camaraderie on the defensive side of the football is good, saying he thinks that is a strength of the defense.
When asked if the addition of a player like Reid would help or hurt the camaraderie and the defense, Pope said the team would be glad to take in any player that will help win games.
“If anyone is going to help us win games, we would be glad to take them in as part of our family. But right now, we are going to work hard and keep pushing and if anyone comes around, we will be glad to take them.”
Just minutes later, preseason All-American Matt Pierce said he felt the current players on the VSU roster are capable of winning games this season, but he would welcome an addition if the coaching staff thought it was the proper move for the team.
“If they feel like it will help the team, I would be open to it,” Pierce said. “I feel like the guys we have here now are ready to go because they have been working hard all summer. So if (Reid) were to come or didn’t come, I feel like we are in a good position.”
Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
This article appeared in Tuesday's edition of The Valdosta Daily Times.
